Eureka Shows Fight in Loss to Greenville

EUREKA, Ill. – Despite a competitive start and several strong individual performances, the Eureka women's basketball team dropped a 70-54 decision to Greenville on Monday night at home.

Eureka set the tone early, trading baskets and briefly controlling momentum behind Brooklyn Bowman's (Washington, Ill./Washington) activity on the glass and Kayla Collins' (Fort Worth, Texas/Fort Worth Christian) scoring. Railynn Brown (Erlanger, Ky./Lloyd Memorial) knocked down a key three late in the period, and Bowman capped the quarter with a putback in the final seconds to give Eureka a 19-18 edge. Greenville countered with steady inside play from Alyssa Seymour and transition scores from Amelia Shoemaker, keeping the margin tight through multiple lead changes. 

Greenville began to assert defensive pressure and second-chance opportunities. Seymour was a constant presence around the rim, while Rylee Hipp and Lucia Caballero converted fast-break layups off turnovers to swing the lead. Eureka struggled to find consistent offense during the stretch, managing just six points in the second period, as Greenville closed the half on a late run to take a 29-25 advantage into the break. 

The Panthers broke the game open coming out of halftime. Adeline Goheen sparked Greenville with interior scores, free throws, and a momentum-shifting three, while Morgan Alexander added a timely triple to push the lead to double digits. Eureka answered with makes from Miracle Armstrong (Chicago, Ill./Wendell Phillips), Bowman, and Collins, but Greenville's ability to gain second chances and control the paint extended the margin to 51-42 by the end of the quarter. 

Greenville put the game away with a balanced closing stretch. Mia deJesus attacked the lane for baskets and a three-point play, and Alexander connected again from deep as the lead grew to its largest of the night at 21 points. Eureka continued to battle, with Armstrong and Kenna Newton (Toulon, Ill./Stark County) contributing points, but Greenville's composure and efficient scoring down the stretch sealed the 70-54 final. 

Collins finished with 13 points and two steals, while Brown scored 11 points. Bowman chipped in eight points and six rebounds, including four offensive boards that led to second-chance scores. 

UP NEXT

Eureka hits the road for three straight games starting with Westminster on Saturday. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.